Broccoli Rice and Cheese Casserole
A creamy baked casserole with tender broccoli, rice, and cheddar cheese, all under a crisp, buttery panko topping.
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter divided, 57 g
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs 28 g
- 1 small yellow onion finely chopped
- 1 pound frozen chopped broccoli thawed and drained, 450 g
- 1 can condensed cheddar cheese soup 10.5 ounces / 298 g
- 1/2 cup milk 120 ml
- 3 cups cooked long-grain white rice approx. 540 g
- 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese 170 g
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt or to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 2-quart baking dish.
- In a small bowl, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in the microwave. Stir in the panko breadcrumbs until they are evenly coated. Set aside.
- In a large skillet or pot, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, until softened.
- Add the thawed broccoli to the skillet. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it is heated through and tender-crisp.
- Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the condensed cheese soup, milk, cooked rice, shredded cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper.
- Continue to stir until the cheese is melted and everything is well combined.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer.
- Sprinkle the buttered panko mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the filling is bubbly and the topping is golden brown. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Thawing the broccoli first helps prevent a watery casserole. You can thaw it in the microwave or by running it under cool water in a colander. Be sure to drain it well.
For a cheesier topping, you can reserve 1/2 cup of the shredded cheddar and sprinkle it on before adding the panko.
Using freshly shredded cheese from a block will result in a smoother, creamier sauce as it melts better than many pre-shredded cheeses.
This recipe is a great use for leftover rice. Make sure your rice is already cooked and cooled slightly before adding it to the mixture.